Boston Beer Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) reported Q2 2024 financial results with mixed performance. Net revenue decreased 4.0% to $579.1 million, while net income fell 9.8% to $52.3 million. Depletions decreased 4% and shipments declined 6.4%. However, gross margin improved by 60 basis points to 46.0%. Year-to-date, the company saw a 2% decrease in depletions and a 3.4% decrease in shipments. Despite challenges, year-to-date net income increased 32.3% to $64.9 million. The company maintains its EPS guidance of $7.00 to $11.00 for 2024 but revised its volume guidance downward. Boston Beer continues to focus on innovation and brand investment while returning cash to shareholders through share repurchases.

Positive

• Gross margin improved by 60 basis points to 46.0% in Q2 2024
• Year-to-date gross margin increased 260 basis points to 45.0%
• Year-to-date net income increased 32.3% to $64.9 million
• Strong cash flow generation with $219.3 million in cash and no debt
• Repurchased $127.0 million in shares from January 2, 2024 to July 19, 2024

Negative

• Q2 2024 net revenue decreased 4.0% to $579.1 million
• Q2 2024 net income fell 9.8% to $52.3 million
• Depletions decreased 4% and shipments declined 6.4% in Q2 2024
• Year-to-date depletions decreased 2% and shipments decreased 3.4%
• Revised volume guidance downward due to softer category performance

Insights

Financial Analyst

Boston Beer's Q2 2024 results present a mixed picture. While the company faced challenges with a 4% decrease in depletions and a 6.4% decrease in shipments, there are some positive indicators worth noting.

The gross margin improvement to 46.0%, up 60 basis points year-over-year, is a significant positive. This improvement, driven by price increases, procurement savings and lower returns, demonstrates the company's ability to manage costs effectively in a challenging environment. The year-to-date gross margin increase of 260 basis points to 45.0% is even more impressive.

However, the 4.0% decrease in net revenue to $579.1 million and the 9.8% decrease in net income to $52.3 million are concerning. These declines, primarily due to lower volumes in the Truly Hard Seltzer brand, highlight the competitive pressures in the hard seltzer market.

The company's strong cash position of $219.3 million and no debt is a positive factor, providing financial flexibility. The continued share repurchases, totaling $127.0 million year-to-date, demonstrate confidence in the company's long-term prospects.

Looking ahead, the revised guidance for 2024, with depletions and shipments now expected to be down low single digits to zero, suggests ongoing challenges. However, the maintained EPS guidance of $7.00 to $11.00 indicates that cost management and margin improvements are expected to offset volume declines.

Investors should closely monitor the performance of the Twisted Tea brand and the newly launched Sun Cruiser brand, as these could be key drivers of future growth amidst the challenges faced by Truly Hard Seltzer.

Market Research Analyst

The hard seltzer market's dynamics are clearly impacting Boston Beer's performance. The 4% decrease in depletions suggests a softening demand, particularly evident in the Truly Hard Seltzer brand. This aligns with broader industry trends indicating a slowdown in the hard seltzer category after years of explosive growth.

However, the growth in the Twisted Tea brand and the newly launched Sun Cruiser brand are bright spots. These products demonstrate Boston Beer's ability to diversify its portfolio and potentially offset declines in the hard seltzer segment. The success of these brands will be important for the company's future performance.

The company's pricing strategy, which contributed to the gross margin improvement, appears to be effective. However, it's worth noting that in a competitive market, there may be limits to how much prices can be increased without impacting volume.

The lower-than-target wholesaler inventory levels, averaging about three and a half weeks compared to the target of four to five weeks, could be a double-edged sword. While it might indicate stronger-than-expected demand towards the end of the quarter, it also suggests potential missed sales opportunities and the need for increased production in the coming months.

The revised guidance for 2024, projecting flat to slightly negative growth, reflects a cautious outlook. This conservatism is prudent given the uncertain economic environment and evolving consumer preferences in the alcoholic beverage market.

Investors should pay attention to the company's innovation pipeline and marketing strategies, as these will be critical in navigating the challenging market conditions and returning to growth in the future.

BOSTON, July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM), today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 29, 2024. Key results were:

Second Quarter 2024 Summary:

• Depletions decreased 4% and shipments decreased 6.4%
• Net revenue of $579.1 million decreased 4.0%
• Gross margin of 46.0% up 60 basis points year over year
• Net income of $52.3 million, a decrease of $5.7 million or 9.8%
• Diluted income per share of $4.39

Year-to-date 2024 Summary:

• Depletions decreased 2% and shipments decreased 3.4%
• Net revenue of $1.005 billion decreased 0.8%
• Gross margin of 45.0% up 260 basis points year over year
• Net income of $64.9 million, an increase of $15.9 million or 32.3%
• Diluted income per share of $5.41

Capital Structure

• Ended the first quarter with $219.3 million in cash and no debt
• Repurchased $127.0 million in shares from January 2, 2024 to July 19, 2024

“Our gross margin improvement initiatives continue to take hold, with gross margin expanding over 250 basis points year-to-date, and strong cash flow generation,” said Chairman and Founder Jim Koch.  “Depletions were soft in April, but improved as we moved through the quarter.  While the industry environment remains dynamic, we are seeing early signs of progress on innovation and will use our strong balance sheet to invest in our brands while returning cash to shareholders.”

“I’m pleased to have completed my first quarter as Boston Beer’s CEO and believe there are many areas of opportunity ahead for the company,” said President and CEO Michael Spillane.  “We are revising our volume guidance to reflect softer category performance in the second quarter and timing of product launches, while maintaining our EPS guidance supported by progress on our transformation efforts.  Our entire organization will be focused on optimizing all aspects of execution and launching accretive innovation to provide the foundation for a future return to growth.”

Details of the results were as follows:

Second Quarter 2024 (13 weeks ended June 29, 2024) Summary of Results

Depletions for the second quarter decreased 4% from the prior year. Shipment volume for the quarter was approximately 2.2 million barrels, a 6.4% decrease from the prior year, primarily due to declines in Truly Hard Seltzer that were only partially offset by growth in the Company’s Twisted Tea brand and its newly launched Sun Cruiser brand.

The Company believes distributor inventory as of June 29, 2024 averaged approximately three and one half weeks on hand compared to our target wholesaler inventory levels of four to five weeks for our peak summer season. These lower than target wholesaler inventory levels were the result of not fully shipping into improving demand in the latter weeks of June. The Company is working to ensure shipments in July and August build inventories at wholesalers back to target levels.

Revenue for the quarter decreased 4.0% due to lower volumes, partially offset by pricing and lower returns.  

Gross margin of 46.0% increased 60 basis points from the 45.4% margin realized in the prior year. Gross margin primarily benefited from price increases, procurement savings and lower returns, which more than offset higher brewery processing costs per barrel due to lower volumes and increased inflationary costs.

The second quarter gross margin of 46.0% includes $3.0 million of shortfall fees, which negatively impacted gross margin by approximately 50 basis points on an absolute basis, and a non-cash expense of third-party production pre-payments of $6.2 million that negatively impacted gross margins by approximately 110 basis points on an absolute basis.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses for the second quarter of 2024 decreased $5.1 million or 3.4% from the second quarter of 2023, due to decreased freight to distributors of $2.8 million from lower rates and lower volumes. Brand and selling costs decreased $2.3 million, primarily due to lower brand media spend.

General and administrative expenses increased by $3.1 million or 7.0% from the second quarter of 2023, primarily due to inflation in salaries and benefits costs.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the second quarter of 28.6% compared to 27.5% in the prior year. The increased effective tax rate is due to an increase in non-deductible stock compensation expense in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023.

Year-to-date 2024 (26 weeks ended June 29, 2024) Summary of Results

Net revenue year-to-date of $1.005 billion decreased 0.8% compared to year-to-date 2023.

Depletions year-to-date decreased 2% from the prior year. Shipment volume year-to-date was approximately 3.8 million barrels, a 3.4% decrease from the prior year, primarily due to declines in Truly Hard Seltzer that were only partially offset by growth in Twisted Tea brand and its newly launched Sun Cruiser brand.

Gross margin year-to-date of 45.0% increased from the 42.4% margin realized in year-to-date 2023, or an increase of 260 basis points year over year. Gross margin primarily benefited from price increases, procurement savings, lower returns and inventory obsolescence costs and a non-recurring payment in the prior year to a third-party contract brewery, partially offset by higher brewery processing costs per barrel due to lower volumes and increased inflationary costs.

The year-to-date gross margin of 45.0% includes $4.0 million of shortfall fees, which negatively impacted gross margin by approximately 40 basis points on an absolute basis and a non-cash expense of third-party production pre-payments of $10.4 million that negatively impacted gross margins by approximately 100 basis points on an absolute basis.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses year-to-date decreased $10.3 million or 3.7% from year-to-date 2023, primarily due to decreased freight to distributors of $6.4 million from lower rates and volumes. Brand and selling costs decreased $3.9 million, primarily due to lower brand media spend partially offset by inflation in salaries and benefits costs.

General and administrative expenses year-to-date increased by $9.8 million or 11.1% from year-to-date 2023, primarily due to higher salaries and benefits costs resulting from Chief Executive Officer transition costs recorded in the first quarter and inflation costs.

The Company’s effective tax rate year-to-date was 29.5% compared to 27.5% year-to-date 2023. The increased effective tax rate is due to an increase in non-deductible stock compensation expense in year-to-date 2024 compared to year-to-date 2023.

Net income year-to-date of $64.9 million or $5.41 per share, represented an increase of $15.8 million or $1.43 per diluted share compared to year-to-date 2023. This increase between periods was primarily driven by higher gross margins, partially offset by lower revenue.

The Company expects that its June 29, 2024 cash balance of $219.3 million, together with its projected future operating cash flows and the unused balance on its $150.0 million line of credit, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements.

During the 26-week period ended June 29, 2024 and the period from July 1, 2024 through July 19, 2024, the Company repurchased shares of its Class A Common Stock in the amounts of $113.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively, for a total of $127.0 million year to date. As of July 19, 2024, the Company had approximately $140 million remaining on the $1.2 billion share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

Depletions Estimate

Year-to-date depletions through the 29-week period ended July 20, 2024 are estimated by the Company to have decreased approximately 2% from the comparable period in 2023.

Full-Year 2024 Projections

The Company has updated its full year guidance. The Company’s actual 2024 results could vary significantly from the current projection and are highly sensitive to changes in volume projections and supply chain performance as well as inflationary impacts.

Full Year 2024	Current Guidance		Prior Guidance
Depletions and Shipments Percentage Change	Down low single digit to zero		Down low single digit to up low single digit
Price Increases	1% to 2%		1% to 2%
Gross Margin	43% to 45%		43% to 45%
Advertising, Promotion, and Selling Expense Year Over Year Change ($ million)	($5) to $15		($5) to $15
Effective Tax Rate	28.5%		28.5%
GAAP EPS	$7.00 to $11.00		$7.00 to $11.00
Capital Spending ($ million)	$90 to $110		$90 to $110

Underlying the Company's current 2024 projections are the following full-year estimates and targets:

• The advertising, selling and promotional expense projection does not include any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company’s distributors
• During full year 2024, the Company estimates shortfall fees will negatively impact gross margin by 50 to 75 basis points and the non-cash expense of third-party production pre-payments will negatively impact gross margins by 85 to 110 basis points
• The Company’s business is seasonal, with the first quarter and fourth quarter being lower volume quarters and the fourth quarter typically the lowest absolute gross margin rate of the year

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that state the Company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements.  It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023 and subsequent reports filed by the Company with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.  Copies of these documents are available from the SEC and may be found on the Company’s website, www.bostonbeer.com. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

About the Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began brewing Samuel Adams beer in 1984 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected craft brewers in the United States. We consistently offer the highest-quality products to our drinkers, and we apply what we’ve learned from making great-tasting craft beer to making great-tasting and innovative “beyond beer” products. Boston Beer Company has pioneered not only craft beer but also hard cider, hard seltzer and hard tea. Our core brands include household names like Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, and Samuel Adams. We have taprooms and hospitality locations in California, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio. For more information, please visit our website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
	(unaudited)
	Thirteen weeks ended						Twenty-six weeks ended
	June 29, 2024			July 1, 2023			June 29, 2024			July 1, 2023
Revenue	$	614,216		$	641,333		$	1,066,423		$	1,076,489
Less excise taxes		35,118			38,029			61,274			63,185
Net revenue		579,098			603,304			1,005,149			1,013,304
Cost of goods sold		312,640			329,141			552,343			583,479
Gross profit		266,458			274,163			452,806			429,825
Operating expenses:
Advertising, promotional, and selling expenses		144,224			149,362			264,499			274,790
General and administrative expenses		48,024			44,899			98,408			88,593
Impairment of brewery assets		3,395			1,532			3,731			2,016
Total operating expenses		195,643			195,793			366,638			365,399
Operating income		70,815			78,370			86,168			64,426
Other income:
Interest income		2,946			1,855			6,439			3,499
Other expense		(440	)		(122	)		(478	)		(224	)
Total other income		2,506			1,733			5,961			3,275
Income before income tax provision		73,321			80,103			92,129			67,701
Income tax provision		20,982			22,068			27,193			18,622
Net income	$	52,339		$	58,035		$	64,936		$	49,079
Net income per common share – basic	$	4.40		$	4.73		$	5.42		$	3.99
Net income per common share – diluted	$	4.39		$	4.72		$	5.41		$	3.98
Weighted-average number of common shares – basic		11,898			12,268			11,976			12,288
Weighted-average number of common shares – diluted		11,888			12,276			11,971			12,304
Net income	$	52,339		$	58,035		$	64,936		$	49,079
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(59	)		126			(221	)		144
Total other comprehensive income		(59	)		126			(221	)		144
Comprehensive income	$	52,280		$	58,161		$	64,715		$	49,223

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
	(unaudited)
	June 29, 2024			December 30, 2023
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	219,295		$	298,491
Accounts receivable		125,452			66,997
Inventories		152,296			115,773
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		28,046			20,538
Income tax receivable		1,160			1,711
Total current assets		526,249			503,510
Property, plant, and equipment, net		626,860			642,509
Operating right-of-use assets		31,711			35,559
Goodwill		112,529			112,529
Intangible assets, net		59,517			59,644
Third-party production prepayments		24,278			33,581
Note receivable		18,890			—
Other assets		35,412			42,661
Total assets	$	1,435,446		$	1,429,993
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	114,989		$	87,245
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		147,477			126,930
Current operating lease liabilities		7,481			9,113
Total current liabilities		269,947			223,288
Deferred income taxes, net		85,908			85,721
Non-current operating lease liabilities		32,981			36,161
Other liabilities		6,075			6,894
Total liabilities		394,911			352,064
Stockholders' Equity:
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 22,700,000 shares authorized; 9,695,415 and 10,033,303 issued and outstanding as of June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023 respectively		97			100
Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 4,200,000 shares authorized; 2,068,000 issued and outstanding at June 29, 2024 and December 30, 2023		21			21
Additional paid-in capital		668,089			656,297
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(278	)		(57	)
Retained earnings		372,606			421,568
Total stockholders' equity		1,040,535			1,077,929
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,435,446		$	1,429,993

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	(unaudited)
	Twenty-six weeks ended
	June 29, 2024				July 1, 2023
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$	64,936			$	49,079
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		46,983				43,602
Impairment of brewery assets		3,731				2,016
Gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment		(22	)			(195	)
Change in right-of-use assets		3,608				3,844
Stock-based compensation expense		11,008				8,266
Deferred income taxes		187				(1,177	)
Other non-cash expense (income)		296				(88	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(58,751	)			(60,307	)
Inventories		(31,566	)			(9,376	)
Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable, and other assets		(6,977	)			1,041
Third-party production prepayments		9,303				14,512
Other assets		3,390				(5,995	)
Accounts payable		29,487				38,872
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		20,045				21,354
Operating lease liabilities		(4,542	)			(4,311	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		91,116				101,137
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Cash paid for note receivable		(20,000	)			—
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment		(36,090	)			(34,809	)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, and equipment		23				195
Net cash used in investing activities		(56,067	)			(34,614	)
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Repurchases and retirement of Class A common stock		(112,958	)			(45,887	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and sale of investment shares		2,179				9,466
Cash paid on finance leases		(1,062	)			(797	)
Payment of tax withholding on stock-based payment awards and investment shares		(2,404	)			(2,110	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(114,245	)			(39,328	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(79,196	)			27,195
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		298,491				180,560
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	219,295			$	207,755
Copies of The Boston Beer Company's press releases, including quarterly financial results,
are available on the Internet at www.bostonbeer.com

Investor Relations Contact:			Media Contact:
Jennifer Larson			Dave DeCecco
(617) 368-5152			(914) 261-6572
jennifer.larson@bostonbeer.com			dave.dececco@bostonbeer.com

FAQ

What were Boston Beer's (SAM) key financial results for Q2 2024?

Boston Beer (SAM) reported Q2 2024 net revenue of $579.1 million (down 4.0%), net income of $52.3 million (down 9.8%), and diluted EPS of $4.39. Gross margin improved to 46.0%, up 60 basis points year-over-year.

How did Boston Beer's (SAM) shipments and depletions perform in Q2 2024?

In Q2 2024, Boston Beer (SAM) experienced a 4% decrease in depletions and a 6.4% decrease in shipments compared to the prior year.

What is Boston Beer's (SAM) full-year 2024 EPS guidance?

Boston Beer (SAM) maintains its full-year 2024 GAAP EPS guidance of $7.00 to $11.00.

How much did Boston Beer (SAM) spend on share repurchases in 2024?

Boston Beer (SAM) repurchased $127.0 million in shares from January 2, 2024 to July 19, 2024.